The Home Depot Kids Workshop

On the first Saturday of each month, The Home Depot holds a Kids' Workshop (for ages 5-12). It's totally free and the kids are given a project kit (different one each month), a pin, and a certificate of completion each time they attend. Each child also receives a kid-sized Home Depot apron at his/her first visit (a great place to display their pins!). Anyway, that's my plug for those of you who weren't aware of the workshop. :) Here are some of the projects that Tyler and Dave have done so far.

September--Goal Post

October--Firetruck
We joined Cousin Taylor at her Home Depot in Chicago for this one.

November--Leaf Press

January--Football Helmet Bookends

Moments in Connor's Day

Baby boy couldn't even stay awake for lunch.

Our little plumber in the making! :)

He really gets a kick out of Mama Carol's singing & dancing Christmas tree.

Christmas with The Lunning's

We had a great time celebrating the holiday with Dave's side of the family today. His sister, Debbie, her husband, Dave, and their daughters, Taylor & Brenna drove down from Aurora to spend the weekend with us. The kids always have the best time together and really enjoyed opening their gifts.

Brenna, Taylor, Tyler, and Connor in front of Mama Carol and Papa Dave's tree

Daddy and Connor playing the piano

Christmas cuties :)

Tyler really likes his new SLU hoodie from Mama Carol & Papa Dave

Happy Holidays from The Lunning/English Families!

The kiddos with some of their gifts

A Fun Ice Skating Adventure

Today, we took Tyler and Taylor ice skating at the U.S. Ice Sports Complex in Fairview. Taylor is an "old pro," but this was Tyler's first time. Luckily, they had little "walkers" for kids to use, which made it easier for him to get around on the ice, especially since Dave and I wouldn't have really been much help. Neither of us has been ice skating in years! Dave's sister, Debbie, and her husband, Dave, are pretty good at it, so while they skated with the kids, Dave went round and round the rink hugging the wall and I did what I do best--took pictures. :)

Ummmm.....someone is definitely cheating here!

Christmas Celebration #3

Today, we celebrated Christmas with my dad, Connie, and Mallory. Kay and Aaron were also able to drive back from Carbondale. It was a fun afternoon/evening!

The Lunning Family Christmas tree is ready for Celebration #3!

The Queen Bee in her Christmas dress

Tyler is digging his new SLU jacket from Papa Mike and Connie.

Merry Christmas from the Lunning/Szczeblewski kiddos!

Kay, Dad, Michael, and me

The whole gang

Ho Ho Ho!

Tyler was so excited when he saw that Santa (and the reindeer) totally wiped out the snacks that he left out for them. And even more ecstatic about the note that Santa wrote to him. :)

Santa brought the boys lots of cool stuff this year!

Tyler challenges Papa Dave and Mama Carol to a race on his new track.

Connor decides that it's time he start drinking out of a "big boy" cup!

Merry Christmas!!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas.....

We've left snacks out for Santa every year since Tyler was born, but this was the first year that HE requested that we do it. He even wanted to include carrot bites for Rudolph and the other "reindeers." Considering the array of cookies that await Santa, he's going to have to do some serious brushing/flossing when he gets back to the North Pole!

Creating a plate of tasty treats for Santa

Tyler said that "reindeers" like carrots, too--not just sweets!

Hope Santa's hungry. :)